This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.
Isaiah 48:17 NLT
He teaches us what is good for us.
But how many of us ignore the truth and value of the Word of God and seek to fit parts of His instruction into how we want to live our own lives? When something from God doesn’t align with what we want, are we submitting and yielding ourselves to His guidance, or justifying why we are allowed to do it or own way?
If we are choosing something different than He teaches is good, can we say that He is the Lord OUR God – or just acknowledge that He is God while confirming by our lives that we have not accepted His Lordship willingly?
Stubborn, rebellious animals that we are sometimes – I’m thankful that we have a shepherd that corrects the ones that He loves.
How can someone say they are a student if they do not accept correction? Doesn’t a teacher teach by instructing students in the correct way? Doesn’t learning involve change?
Too many today seek a once a week, feel good, recharge of their emotions – gathering for an entertaining and uplifting social event to get them through another week. But how many seek correction, learning, conviction against their worldly ways, and instruction in leading a godly life, set apart from the ways of the world?
Lord, help us.
Harold J. Ballinger 